Ardclough Tournament was very entertaining

KILDARE West Wicklow Indoor Bowling Association (KWWIBA)

Mixed Fortunes For Ardclough Teams - It was a hectic schedule for the Ardclough Open Triples bowling tournament, which was run over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4.

There was an entry of 32 teams, a little under previous years, but this was probably due to the fact it was a bank holiday weekend with many bowlers not available.

Nevertheless, there were some great close and hard fought games, which made it a very entertaining and enjoyable tournament.

The host club had plenty to be excited about, as they had a team in the Shield final and a team in the Cup final.

Brilliant Comeback - In the Shield final, Rathmore provided the opposition and were bidding for three in a row. In the first half of this game it looked like the three in a row was most definitely on the cards as Rathmore raked up score after score to lead by a very comfortable margin of 9/1, whereas the Ardclough team seemed to be struggling to get any foothold in the game.

But what a transformation was witnessed in the second half of this match. This was certainly a game of two halves as Ardclough found their rhythm and completely cast the Rathmore challenge aside and outscored their opponents in this period by an astonishing fifteen scores to two to finish up winners on a score of 16/11.

This was a brilliant comeback by Ardclough but Rathmore will be left wondering as to how they faded out of the game after playing such wonderful bowls during their dominant period. Overall it was a very good and enjoyable game to watch.

Ardclough: Veronica Sheridan, Brian Cullen and Ben Maguire.

Rathmore: Rupert Hayden, Ann Shaw, Frank Feane and sub Helen Feane.

Enthralling Game - Ardclough and Kill CBC faced up to each in this Cup final, with both teams having to come through against very tough opposition on the way, a very close encounter was expected. Ardclough would be the slight favourites and were expected to edge it.

From the beginning it was Ardclough that took the lead and were always in front throughout the game, but they were never really able to shake off their opponents.

Even though there was never anymore than a couple of scores separating the sides the Kill CBC team never seemed to be able to close that gap at anytime during the game, of course this was due in no small way to a very confident and skilful Ardclough team, especially their skip Dom Maguire who was outstanding, not alone in this game but in all games throughout the tournament.

With the last end to play and Ardclough still with those two scores to the good looked well placed and set to make it a double triumph for the club, but a fabulous finish by Kill CBC with a score of four seeing them over the line on a score 13/11.

Having led all the way and losing out at the death must have been a shattering experience for Ardclough. In fairness to Kill CBC they were never out of the game and were always within striking distance of their opponents.

Regardless of the result, bowling was the big winner in this final as both teams served up an exhibition of bowling skills that made for an enthralling game.

Kill CBC: Peggy Hayes, Josie Garvey and Johnny Flynn.

Ardclough: Olivia Maguire, Leo Tiernan and Dom Maguire.

To all the people that served and looked after the refreshments a special thank you is offered.

To all the clubs that entered the competition that helped to make it such a fantastic success, thanks are extended, and well done to all who took part.